The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Mara finally cto, her return to consciousness accompanied by the cold, hard reality of the floor beneath her and an awkward blush creeping across her cheeks.

Vivienne, having just finished checking Karen's pupils for any irregularities, heard Mara stir and casually tossed her a smartphone.

“Didn't forget our chat from last night, did you?” Mara pushed herself upright, a thread of hope in her voice. “So, if | help you out, we're square?” Vivienne chuckled while adjusting Karen's blanket, her gaze still fixed on Mara. “You should get it straight, Mara.

You're helping yourself.” Mara paused, the warning in Vivienne’s words chilling her to the bone. She dropped to her knees, desperation quivering in her voice. “Vivienne, please, I'm begging you. Save my brother. I'll do anything, work day and night, anything at all. | had no choice!” Vivienne perched herself on the edge of Karen's bed, her eyes dancing with amusement at Mara’s plea. “And what exactly can you offerin terms of service?” Mara bit her lip, words failing her.

Compared to Vivienne, she felt utterly powerless.

Watching Mara’s flustered attempts at negotiation, Vivienne lost interest in prolonging the conversation. “Keep your nose clean, follow my instructions, and once your treatment is done, I'll see to it that you keep your life.” Mara’s tears, unbidden, streamed down her face. “My brother's stuck in sgodforsaken asylum in M State, Vivienne. It’s a loony bin! For the love of all that’s holy, he never did you wrong. Please, get him out. He's all the family I've got left in this world!” Vivienne nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all.

What did that have to do with her? Was she expected to forgive and go out of her way to rescue Huxley just because he’d never crossed her? Ridiculous.

Disinterested, Vivienne’s voice turned icy. “Do as | say, or not even you will make it out alive.” With those final words, she stood and left the room.

Mara slumped to the floor, a portrait of despair.

If Gillian found out she had betrayed her, Huxley's fate was sealed. Yet, failing to comply with Vivienne meant her own demise.

Mara was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Willa, who had been watching the drama unfold with a detached curiosity, couldn't fathom Mara’s hesitation.

In such dire straits, shouldn't self-preservation cfirst? Willa couldn't understand it.

She thought, if it were her, she wouldn't hesitate. Even if it meant choosing between her own life and Sasha Perez's, she would save herself first, then find a way to rescue Sasha.

Meanwhile, Gillian waited for a call at her place. With Flynn missing, the boss unreachable, and having been kicked out of Vanguard Agency by Vance, she needed to find a way out of this mess fast or risk becoming expendable.

Unacceptable. She hadn't exacted her revenge and hadn't seen Percival grovel. She wouldn't be cast aside after all she had suffered to get here.

At this moment, her phone suddenly rang.

Gillian snatched it up, “Boss, is Flynn...” “It's Mara.” Gillian’s heart sank. “What do you want?” “I... I killed someone.” “Cagain?” Gillian scoffed. “You, a killer? If you had the guts, you wouldn't be in this mess.” Through sobs, Mara insisted. “I'm serious! It was Karen, Vivienne’s mother. Boss madedo it. What now? I've pinned it on Aaron, but Vivienne will trace it back to me. Please, get Boss to help me!” Gillian, unsure, demanded, “You actually did it?” “Why would | lie? If Vivienne catches me, you're the first nI'll give up. Fix this!” With that, Mara hung up.

Gillian called her contact immediately, “Boss, | shouldnt disturb you, but Mara’s killed Vivienne’s mother, and...” A man’s deep voice interrupted, “Mara killed Karen?” Gillian nearly gasped aloud. She double-checked the number, correct indeed.

But why was a man answering? Confused, Gillian pressed, “Who are you? Where's the boss?” “Don’t worry about who | am, Gillian. Your mission is over.” The call ended, and before Gillian could process what had just happened, her phone exploded in her hands.

She stumbled back as the phone's remnants scattered on the floor, sparking and hissing before falling silent.

The phone was beyond repair; its insides turned to ash.

Stunned, Gillian collapsed, sweat beading on her brow.

Was this it? Had she been discarded? Panic set in.

She paced her house, unsure of her next move.

No, she couldn’t be a castaway again.

With that resolve, Gillian stormed out, driving off into the night.

Watching from the shadows, Draven reported to Vivienne, “Young Master, Gillian’s on the move, and her phone's out of commission. No trace of her call.” “Her destination?” Checking his tablet, Draven replied, “Judging by the GPS, she’s headed to the Linklater Mansion.” The Linklater Mansion? What could Gillian be seeking there? Vivienne’s lips curved into a faint smile. If Gillian didn’t remind her of it, she was in danger of nearly forgetting about the Linklaters.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

It was Dracon Linklater who had sent Gillian over to the Vanguard Agency in the first place.

But now, Gillian had decided to go to Dracon again.

It seemed F-Poison had cast her aside.

Another lead had gone cold! Meanwhile, in a nondescript corner of Rivenwood.

F-Poison peeled away Gillian’s fake face, revealing a new one brimming with youthful exuberance.

This face couldn't be more than seventeen or eighteen, fresh out of high school, and unbearably cute.

She nodded at her reflection with satisfaction, meticulously combing through her hair. “What happened? Such a promising pawn... Why discard her so readily?” “He’s no longer of any use,” the man replied.

F-Poison turned to face him. “Do tell.” “If my hunch is right, Mara’s been made by Vivienne. She's turned coat, and that call Gillian got was bait, meant to draw you out. So, a compromised pawn is better off the board.” “And what makes you so sure Mara’s flipped?” “If Karen were really dead, Vivienne wouldn't be so composed. She's not the snaive girl from a decade ago.”